The term “acquired brain injury” simply means the injury occurred after a person is born. These injuries often result in lifelong disability or even death. When someone’s actions are negligent and lead to an acquired brain injury, the victim may have the right to seek compensation with the help of a qualified San Luis Obispo brain injury attorney.
The team at Ernst Law Group answers your frequently asked questions about acquired brain injuries.
What is an acquired brain injury (ABI)?
To properly explain what an acquired brain injury is, first, we need to explain what it isn’t. ABIs are not caused by genetic or degenerative conditions (examples include fetal alcohol syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease). Nor are they caused by trauma at birth.
Examples of acquired brain injury include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – This is a brain injury due to a sudden, violent blow to the head or body. TBIs frequently result from motor vehicle accidents, physical assaults, slip/trip and fall injuries, and explosions. TBIs include concussions, contusions (brain bruising), and hematomas (bleeding inside or near the brain).
- Anoxia/Hypoxia – These are brain injuries caused by a total or partial lack of oxygen flow to the brain. Brain cells begin to die when deprived of oxygen after four minutes, and permanent brain damage may occur in as little as five minutes.
- Stroke—This is brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen due to decreased blood flow or an arterial rupture in the brain.
- Encephalopathy (includes California encephalitis) – This is abnormal brain functioning due to poisoning, liver disease, or substance abuse.
What causes acquired brain injury?
Many factors can lead to TBIs, anoxia, strokes, or encephalopathy. Sometimes, the patient is the victim of negligence or even intentional behavior by another person. For example, if a medical provider fails to review a patient’s chart before a procedure or surgery, the person could suffer anoxia from insufficient oxygen. TBIs are also common injuries after a car or truck accident.
What is the most common cause of acquired brain injury? According to the Shepherd Center, concussions are the leading cause of trauma-related brain damage, while strokes are the primary factor in non-trauma-acquired brain injuries. Concussions can result from assault or other criminal acts, vehicle collisions, slip-and-fall accidents, or defective products. Strokes are often natural events but can be initiated by negligent actions or medical malpractice.
Other acquired brain injuries could result from unexpected situations, such as a small child who suffers a dog bite. They could bleed out or have anoxia from a crushed windpipe. If a dropped object strikes a person, they could suffer blunt trauma to the head, resulting in a TBI.
What is the difference between acquired and traumatic brain injury?
An acquired brain injury is any damage that occurs after a person is born. Traumatic brain injuries are a form of acquired brain injury since they frequently happen from any action that causes the brain to bump into the skull or be bruised. Penetrating brain injuries also qualify as TBIs.
Regardless of how your injury occurred, it’s vital to get a full diagnosis immediately and locate additional resources for managing your condition. The California Department of Rehabilitation offers assistance to those who have suffered traumatic or other acquired brain injuries. In addition, Ernst Law Group is committed to serving clients with TBIs as they seek justice from negligent parties for financial recovery.
How can you get help when someone else caused your acquired brain injury?
If you or a loved one has suffered an acquired brain injury due to someone else’s negligence or carelessness, contact Ernst Law Group to get the legal representation you need.
We offer free initial consultations to determine the strength of your case. When we begin to work with you, you can rely on our knowledge, skills, and experience to investigate and build the most robust claim possible in your circumstances. We also offer contingency fee pricing, meaning you do not pay until we secure a settlement. Call us at (805) 541-0300 or use our contact form to meet with a San Luis Obispo brain injury attorney today.